The other big winner at the ceremony in Copenhagen's Cirkusbygningen was Danish director Martin P Zandvliet bio-pic on Danish top comedian Dirch Passer, A Funny Man, which picked up five awards including Best Actor for Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Best Supporting Actor for Lars Ranthe.

von Trier did not attend the event, having muzzled himself last year after the French police investigation of his remarks following the screening of Melancholia in Cannes. "Lars has nothing to say - or he has, but he won't," was a message from a representative of his company, Zentropa Entertainments.

This year's Honorary Robert went to Danish veteran director Henning Carlsen. "I am speechless - I have waited for this in 84 years. I couldn't help to tell the taxi driver on the way," said Carlsen, who has over the years made 20 features.